'Tis the season when a young man's fancy turns to mountain biking.
At least that's the case for a trio of St. Albert teens who are trying to generate online votes in the hope of raising money for their pet project — a mountain bike skills park.
The St. Albert Mountain Bike Project currently sits at 78th spot on the website of Pepsi's Refresh Project, which promises to award $100,000 to the project that's highest ranked after Dec. 31.
"We're moving up almost daily now so that's good," said Malcolm McCutcheon, one of the project's originators. The other members are Brad Wolgram and Branden Leduc. All three are 18.
When the group first posted their project for the contest, it started off at number 19. It then fell to 83 as other projects surged ahead but now the locals are slowly making up ground.
The contest website is www.refresheverything.ca/stalbertmountainbikeparkproject.
Finding their place
McCutcheon first approached council a year ago with his idea to build a mountain bike skills park somewhere in St. Albert. He found support from the mayor and council. The city has since allocated $25,000 of its 2011 capital budget toward the project and $175,000 in 2012.
Meanwhile, McCutcheon's committee has been busy trying to raise awareness and more funds. Though they don't have a budget estimate, they know it will cost more to build than they have.
The first hurdle to clear over the winter is deciding on a site from among a number being considered. Then design work can begin.
"Now that it's gone into the further stages of development it's getting a little more intense but it's definitely exciting that it's one day going to be a reality," Wolgram said.
The main question the group faces is, "What is a skills park?"
"It's an area set aside for mountain bikers that has obstacles for a whole range of skill levels from beginner to advanced," McCutcheon said. Obstacles include dirt jumps, log rides and narrow balance beams known as skinnies.
"It was pretty difficult at the start because people didn't really know what mountain biking was but as the months have passed, people are becoming more and more open to the idea," McCutcheon said.
The plan is for the park to be free to all users.
The group is working with city administration to form a not-for-profit association and board, as well as develop bylaws and select the top four locations for the park.
Mayor Nolan Crouse said he feels good about the progress because there's money set aside and young people are leading the effort.
"I think we've got good traction here," he said.
He also feels there's a strong demand for the facility.
"I believe this was important for years," Crouse said. "Often the biker group is the predominant group in the skateboard park so I absolutely sense it's important."
